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  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-05-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time for the driving theory test is in each region of England.

    Andrew Jones

    The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has a target that 95% of candidates should be offered a booking for a driving theory test within two weeks of their preferred date. DVSA uses that target to measure the length of time candidates have to wait for a theory test.

    At the time of writing, the national position, broken down by region, was as follows:

    London and South East

    97.12%

    Midlands

    99.46%

    Northern

    98.30%

    Wales and Western

    98.71% (figure includes England only)

  • Tim Farron – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Tim Farron – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Tim Farron on 2016-05-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the expected date is for completion of the electrification of the Windermere Branch Line.

    Andrew Jones

    In Sir Peter Hendy’s review, Network Rail has made clear that the Oxenholme to Windermere electrification scheme will be delivered, with a target of March 2017 for selection of a single option. Work is progressing on this scheme. The programme for delivery will be detailed when the single option is known.

  • Andrew Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Andrew Smith – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Andrew Smith on 2016-05-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to improve the safety of and access for horse riders on roads and bridlepaths.

    Andrew Jones

    The Department takes every opportunity to remind motorists of their responsibilities towards vulnerable road users – including horse riders – through publications such as the Highway Code and THINK! Road Safety campaigns. THINK! officials are currently working with the British Horse Society following their recently launched ‘Dead Slow’ campaign. Plans for the summer include publicity on TV, radio, online and social media advising motorists on how to pass horses safely.

    We do not provide advice on access to bridleways, as this falls within the remit of Natural England (a non-departmental public body).

  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-05-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he expects to launch the Government’s proposed consultation on changing the law to allow learner drivers to drive on motorways with instructors.

    Andrew Jones

    The Government expects to launch a consultation on proposals to allow learner drivers to drive on motorways, with an approved driving instructor in a car that has dual controls, later this year.

  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-05-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the (a) average waiting time for a practical driving test and (b) number of staffing opportunities at test centres not yet filled was in each region of England in the most recent period for which figures are available; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency recruitment strategy.

    Andrew Jones

    The average waiting time for a car driving test for the 2015/16 financial year was 8.4 weeks. The average waiting time for a car test measured at the time of writing (24 May) was 11.5 weeks.

    The following table explains the current driving examiner recruitment position:

    New Recruits 2015/16

    Planned Recruits 2016/17

    completed training since 1 Apr 2016

    currently undergoing training

    training start confirmed

    offer made – undergoing pre- employment check

    Ongoing recruitment (latest advert)

    Scotland & N England

    28

    58

    2

    8

    16

    9

    32

    Central England & N Wales

    64

    67

    7

    4

    24

    3

    49

    Southern England & S Wales

    59

    58

    9

    8

    30

    2

    45

    London & S E England

    42

    104

    8

    8

    13

    7

    52

    193

    287

    26

    28

    83

    21

    178

    During 2015 DVSA carried out a review of the end to end process of driving examiner resourcing – from forecasting demand for driving tests to understand where and how many driving examiners are needed, through the attraction and selection stages of recruitment to offer of appointment and training. The overall assessment was that there was significant scope for improvement at all stages in the process. The recommendations of the review are being implemented and include:

    • the use of improved forecasting models
    • modernised attraction approaches
    • more focussed assessment methods
    • streamlined training programmes.

    The overarching objectives are to shorten the time from a driving examiner vacancy being identified to it being filled. DVSA also wants to improve the diversity and capabilities of the new starters it appoints.

  • Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Richard Burden – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Richard Burden on 2016-05-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what progress his Department has made on developing a scheme to publish pass rates of instructors as set out in his Department’s Motoring Services Strategy; and how much funding he has allocated to that project.

    Andrew Jones

    The proposal to publish pass rates of Approved Driving Instructors forms part of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency’s broader plans to improve overall standards and transparency.

    The Agency has been exploring with the ADI National Association Strategic Partnership (NASP) the development of a voluntary ‘earned recognition’ scheme which would acknowledge and recognise the extent to which Approved Driving Instructors are compliant with regulations and/or adopting high professional standards.

    The Agency will want to discuss the voluntary publication of pass rates with NASP as part of their ongoing discussions. Once the scope of the proposals has been determined appropriate funding will be allocated to the overall programme of reforms.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-05-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the number of passengers travelling on the West Coast Main Line in each year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

    Claire Perry

    There are no published statistics on the annual number of passengers travelling on the West Coast Main Line.

    Statistics for the train operators serving the West Coast Main Line stations are available on the Office of Rail and Road data portal at the following link: http://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/browsereports/12.

    “

  • Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-05-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the total number of its full-time equivalent officials who are working on the consultation on the InterCity West Coast rail franchise; and if he will make a statement.

    Claire Perry

    The consultation process is being run by 1 FTE who is part of the ICWC franchise team, with a team of 3-6 officials assisting with each of the planned 11 station events which are scheduled to last between two and a half to four and a half hours each with 2-3 officials assisting at multi-stakeholder regional events also for between two and a half to four and a half hours each.

  • Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    Neil Coyle – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Transport

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Neil Coyle on 2016-05-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to make public transport more accessible for people with guide dogs.

    Andrew Jones

    The Department is committed to building transport networks which work for everyone, including ensuring that disabled people have the same opportunities to travel as other members of society.

    From the 1st January this year all single deck buses designed to carry over twenty two passengers on local and scheduled routes have had to comply with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR), which require vehicles to include contrasting handrails, priority seating and other features of benefit to visually impaired people. At least one priority seat on each bus must have sufficient space to accommodate an assistance dog with its owner. Double deck buses must comply with PSVAR by the 1st January 2017.

    Positive interactions with staff can also give visually impaired people the confidence to use bus services. We are working with Mott MacDonald to review disability awareness training from across the transport sector, and to produce best practice guidance by the end of 2016, to help equip bus drivers with the skills and knowledge they need to provide disabled passengers with a first class service.

  • Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    Jim Cunningham – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Department for Communities and Local Government

    The below Parliamentary question was asked by Jim Cunningham on 2016-05-23.

    To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, with reference to the Answer of 12 May 2016 to Question 33770, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of households that will own their home in each of the next 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

    Brandon Lewis

    The Department for Communities and Local Government does not publish forecasts of home ownership. However, the Government’s manifesto pledged to help one million more people own a home of their own. The Housing & Planning Act will underpin a number of measures, such as the introduction of Starter Homes, which will help achieve this.